February 26, 2021

Meeting held at the County Community Center Building

February 26, 2021

John Bertram, David White, Bert Lowery, Kristi Cooper, Chay Howard, Kerri Ulrich, Mindy Heinson, Michael Ranger, Brenda Osborne and Matt Christenson attended the meeting.

Consent agenda included: Agenda, Payroll reports, Accounts Payable reports and Commissioner minutes of 01/16/21.

After the pledge of allegiance, John opened the meeting at 9:00. Bert moved to approve the consent agenda as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Mindy Heinson came to discuss some updates at the Extension office which included Wade leaving and that they would be replacing him once the hiring freeze from the state is lifted.

Kristi Cooper presented tax corrections for approval, after review Bert moved to approve them as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, she presented policy 305 for Bereavement leave and explained they no longer needed this policy because they combined this to be included under the PTO accrual and that they had missed dissolving this policy when they changed the new PTO policy. Bert moved to dissolve Policy 305 and David seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Matt Christenson came to discuss the library building in Mullinville and reported there are major concerns to the exterior of the building such as there are cracks in the mortar and bricks missing. And after inspecting the building that there is no insulation which caused the pipes to freeze last week. He did mention he would get quotes on repairs but suggested that he talk with the City of Mullinville in utilizing one of the spaces in the city hall. He will work on that and report back. Next, he discussed options for a sound system for the community center which included purchasing the equipment outright or renting the equipment through the Media Center. It was by consensus to look into using the equipment from the media center before they commit to purchasing the equipment. Matt will get with Grant and report back with an agreement. Last David asked about the Commons building and matt reported they are still looking into it but hasn’t found anything but he is still waiting for the adjuster to come out since he wasn’t able to come out last week and that he would probably look at getting a quote to seal the south and west side of the library portion of the building.

Kerri Ulrich came to present a payroll change for C Stokes (separation) and Jerry Swartz(separation) for approval. After review of the payroll change Bert moved to approve the changes as presented and John seconded, motion carried 3-0. Next, they discussed the mask mandate, but no action was taken.

Break called till 9:56

Michael Ranger came to give a brief update on Brighter Communities 501c and asked if they would all sit down with him and so he could visit with them individually about his company. Kristi will forward his information the Commissioners per his request.

Brenda Osborne came to discuss the postage machine lease with Pitney Bowes and explained the lease is up in April and so she has got 3 quotes from Midwest Single Source in the amount of $13,825.20, Midwest Connect for $14,400 and Pitney Bowes for $16,007.40. After reviewing the quotes Bert carried 3-0. Brenda presented the lease for signatures by John.

Kristi Cooper presented payroll and account payable reports to be signed. Next, she presented policy 504 for use of Equipment and Vehicles per Bert request for discussion. She advised them that currently if an employee is involved in an accident it is up to the supervisor’s discretion to have them take a drug or alcohol test, but it was by consensus to change it to that it will be mandatory anytime there is an accident involving an employee operating equipment or vehicle. Chay will draw up a revised policy.

During Commissioner discussion they discussed the following; handling tarps at the landfill, city of Belvidere city water, use of county right-a-ways, supervisors’ executive sessions and insurance coverage limits, streaming of meetings and tax sale. Kristi asked if it would be possible to mute breaks and executive sessions, so that there would only be one recording of the meeting, so viewers wouldn’t have to look for all the different recordings. Bert moved to mute the meeting on breaks and executive sessions and John seconded, motion carried 3-0.

Meeting adjourned at 11:29.

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